Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 6, 2022
Indian High Commissioner Neeta Bhushan: Constructive Engagement with the business community
India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Neeta Bhushan has sought the goodwill and friendship of the business community to promote better relations with India.
The career diplomat who took charge as the first female Head of the Indian Mission in Wellington less than two months ago has been talking to investors, exporters and businesses on the ways and means of enhancing engagement with their Indian counterparts.
She met a large number of them at the 13th Annual Indian Newslink Business Awards held on November 29, 2022, at the Trusts Arena in Henderson, Auckland and told them that the Indian economy is ripe for investment and that the federal government has simplified procedures and regulations to facilitate foreign investment and trade.
Congratulating the finalists and winners at the Awards Ceremony, Ms Bhushan said India not only offered political and social stability but also an ever-expanding consumer market.
“While our governments maintain cordial relations, high-level visits of ministers, officials and business delegations have increased the scope for increase in the volume of trade and investment. The Government of India is keen that New Zealand investors should utilise the advantages of programmes such as Make in India and reap mutual benefits,” she said.
Ms Bhushan said that she will continue to engage with the business communities in various parts of New Zealand during her tenure.
She is also the accredited, non-resident High Commissioner to Samoa, the Cook Islands and Vanuatu and looks forward to promoting India’s interests in the South Pacific.
ACT Party Leader David Seymour: The safety of businesses is non-negotiable
David Seymour
ACT Party Leader David Seymour said that New Zealand businesses have the right to operate under safety and security and that the rising crime should be tackled with firmness.
He said that his Party will reinstate the Three Strikes Law and deal with violent offenders.
His Party’s policy states that Three Strikes will send a signal to violent offenders that New Zealanders will not tolerate repeated violent and sexual offending.
“There were no petty criminals being charged under the law, it applied to the worst of the worst and made our communities safer. Labour has been single-minded in its drive to get rid of it though, along the way it has forgotten about the victims of serious crime. ACT is committed to reinstating Three Strikes as part of our plan for the first 100 days of government,” he said.
Three Strikes for Burglary
ACT will also introduce a separate Three Strikes regime for burglary offences. Criminals who commit three burglary offences would face a minimum three-year prison sentence with no parole.
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters: Strengthening the hands of the Police
Winston Peters
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters also spoke of the increasing risk that violent offenders pose to small and retail business outlets.
According to him, the continued safety of our communities rested firmly on the capabilities and resourcing of our Police.
“New Zealand First has and continues to advocate for a Police workforce that has the necessary funding, training, and personnel so that our police can meet the challenges of our growing population and adapt to the many needs of our communities in the modern age. We are committed to recruiting a further 1000 new frontline police alongside the 2335 new frontline police we have already trained since the last election,” he said.
He said that his Party believes that keeping society safe should be the priority of law and order policies. All New Zealanders deserve to feel safe and secure in the communities they live.
“That is why New Zealand First has and continues to fix the flaws in our justice system while ensuring that victims of crime are prioritised over offenders,” he said.
Ratna Venkat: ‘God is Good’ in Bharata Natyam
Entertainers at the Ceremony
Quality entertainment has always been the hallmark of the Indian Newslink Business Awards ceremonies since their launch in 2008.
A group of five musicians, comprising Joseph Alexander (Octopod), Joscel Alexander (Acoustic Drums) Hemant Thaker (Keyboards), Elvis Claremont (Lead Guitar) and Carlyle Fernandes (Bass Guitar) formed a group called, ‘The Gurus of Groove’ specially for Indian Newslink Business Awards in November 2008 and have been performing at the annual event since then. As well as providing background scores, they are instrumental in creating ‘an air of congratulations’ as winners walk up to the stage to greet the VIPs and receive their Awards.
Anuradha Ramkumar, Director and Principal of Anuradha School of Dances had trained her students well to present two Classical dance numbers which drew wide applause.
Disciples of Anuradha Ramkumar: Creative excellence
They showcased an excerpt of the Sloka ‘Kamala Vadana,’ followed by ‘Chandra Chooda,’ which described Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi through a dynamic dance sequence highlighting the beauty of their Divine Dance through a core of Bharata Natyam and elements of Kuchipudi, choreographed by Anuradha Ramkumar.
Ratna Venkat converted ‘God is Good,’ (rendered live by Jeffery Nathan) into a Bharata Natyam dance item, earning the appreciation of the audience for her creativity and poise.
Jackie Clarke: Entertainer Extraordinaire
Jackie Clarke
Jackie Clarke returned as our Master of Ceremonies and entertained the audience with her unique style of presentation, humour and presence of mind. Never known to embarrass or hurt anyone in the audience, Jackie was at her career best, although paucity of time did not allow her to engage people with her singing segment.
Her exuberant stage presence, ability to ‘play games and pranks’ with Prime Ministers, Ministers and Members of Parliament, prompting them to dance and laugh on stage, makes her an entertainer par excellence.
Described as an ‘Entertainer Extraordinaire of Stage, Screen and Studio,’ Jackie is one of the most popular figures in show business and programmes of high standard and elegance. As well as the ‘Skitz,’ a TV3 hit comedy series, numerous television shows (including Saturday Live, Nightline and Options) she has appeared in a number of television advertisements for Lotto and Electoral Roll.
Jackie also wrote and presented ‘Wise Women,’ a documentary and a song for TV One’s ‘Work of Art. Her versatile vocal cords have mastered opera at the Mercury, Cole Porter at Downstage and Country N Western.
Apart from crooning at ‘Christmas in the Park,’ she has toured and recorded with Annie Crummer, Putty, The Netherworld Dancing Toys, Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand Brass Quintet.
List of Winners at the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2022
Pictures for Indian Newslink by Narendra Bedekar, Creative Eye Fotographics.
